The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and compensation benefits for PTSD, finding that there was no adequate in-service stressor to support a diagnosis of PTSD. The RO awarded compensation for tinnitus under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 but did not grant an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to a lack of an adequate in-service stressor, and thus could only be based on the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 18, 2004
- Citation
- 0415720
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0415720.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for Meniere's disease, to include benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), secondary to tinnitus and dismissed the claims for a left knee disability, right knee disability, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for left knee limited flexion and a 20 percent evaluation for left knee instability, but denied an increased rating for PTSD.
- Partly granted
The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection for congestive heart failure and PTSD, granted a TDIU due to service-connected PTSD, and granted special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right hip, left hip, and left shoulder, as well as PTSD. The claim for a higher rating for the right knee scar was denied.
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